Identification and distribution of Pseudomonas stutzeri in clinical material.

During the 19 year period ending December 1984, 114 (2.4%) of 4840 strains of Gram-negative non-fermentative bacteria submitted, mainly by laboratories in the UK, to the National Collection of Type Cultures for computer-assisted identification were strains of Pseudomonas stutzeri. These figures suggest that Ps. stutzeri is a relatively uncommon species in clinical material in the UK but that when it does occur laboratories have difficulty in identifying it. The sources from which the strains were isolated and also characteristics of the species by which it may be recognized are reported. The clinical significance of Ps. stutzeri is discussed and also the susceptibility of this species to antimicrobial agents.